“I never said I was, but besides all that, his mother belongs to that sewing bee of Beulah’s and would certainly expect any woman her son might have an interest in courting to join her during her sewing days.”
“You don’t enjoy sewing?”
“It’s not a favorite pastime, but you’re missing the point. I, if you’ve forgotten, was only recently in the employ of Frank Fitzsimmons—a known criminal boss of the New York underworld. I’m not respectable enough for an upstanding gentleman such as Edward.”
“You were only in Frank’s employ because he threatened to harm your mother if you refused to work for him. And, in caseyou’veforgotten, you’re the daughter of an educated man who worked as a tutor—a completely reputable occupation.”
“I’m a former criminal.”
“With aspirations to become a teacher, which means you and Edward are more than compatible.”
“We might be compatible, but I’m not marriage material for him, although...” Lottie caught Camilla’s eye. “Edward did mention, after I told him about my interest in becoming a teacher, that there’s a real need for educators in this area. Even without a formal degree, he thinks there are numerous schools that would hire me for the start of school come fall.”
“See? That’s wonderful.”
“No, it’s not, because I’m certainly not going to leave you in the lurch without a paid companion after everything you’ve done for me.”
Camilla picked up a hat and began inspecting the brim. “I’m twenty-five years old, Lottie, almost twenty-six. I’m perfectly capable of muddling through life without a companion.”
Lottie blinked before her brow took to furrowing. “Clearly I’ve been uncommonly dense of late because—did you offer me a position, not because your aunt Edna up and married Vernon, leavingyou without a chaperone, although both of us decided, since I’m younger than you, that a companion would be more appropriate, but because you wanted to ascertain that I didn’t get swept back into the criminal world after we learned that Victor Malvado was keen to have me join his motley band of hoodlums?”
“I wasn’t very well going to let Victor get his hands on you, not when he’s rumored to be a man lacking any and all redeeming qualities.”
Lottie’s eyes turned suspiciously bright as she settled a rather wobbly smile on Camilla. “You’re far kinder than you allow everyone to know, but thank you for giving me a position to keep me from returning to criminal endeavors.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I suppose now, with all that out in the open, and since I may not be in your employ long, which makes me feel as if I don’t need to completely adhere to companion rules, I would like to...” Lottie stopped speaking and frowned. “Why does it appear as if you’re trying to hold back a grin?”
“Because I wasn’t aware you were deliberately attempting to adhere to any rules.”
“Of course I was, but if you’ll recall, I was only recently immersed in a world filled with criminals. Rules weren’t exactly something I needed to worry about, which meant I had to put a great deal of effort into learning all the rules a proper companion was supposed to observe. However...” Lottie’s eyes twinkled. “We’re getting completely off the subject, so what I wanted to say was this—I’d like to lend you some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Matchmaking advice, to be exact.” Lottie stepped closer. “In my opinion, you need to stop concerning yourself with forging all these matches for everyone and concentrate on something that will benefit you for a change—that being arranging a match for yourself.”
“Have you forgotten that I’ve made a vow never to marry?”
Lottie waved that aside. “Vows like that are meant to be broken. Besides, you’re not destined for spinsterhood, not with Owen in the picture now.”
“Do not say you’ve been listening to Beulah and have decided she’s right about Owen being my match.”
“I didn’t need to listen to Beulah to realize that.”
“But you should listen to me when I tell you Owen and I are not well-suited.”
“Why not?” Lottie asked.
“Because, unlike you and Edward, Owen and I have nothing in common.”
“Being a matchmaker, I’m sure you’re more than familiar with the idea that opposites attract. Besides that, you speak your mind to him.”
“That doesn’t mean I want to marry him.”
“You should at least consider my point, because you don’t speak your mind to other gentlemen,” Lottie argued. “I was with you almost constantly during our spring in the Hudson, as well as during our time in Paris. Yes, you spoke with many gentlemen, all of whom plied you with flattery, but none of whom sparked the slightest interest on your part. Owen, on the other hand, interests you.”
Camilla opened her mouth with a rebuttal on the tip of her tongue, then closed it again because ... Lottie wasn’t exactly off the mark.
